Author: SJWomen100

Abby Cohler joined Impact 100 SJ in 2019. At the time, she was looking to get involved with a local charitable organization and do more than just “write the check."  She discovered that Impact 100 SJ filled that need for her.  She was intrigued by the fact that IMPACT 100 SJ is solely run by women volunteers, allows each member the choice to be as involved with the organization as she wants to be, and gives out impactful grants to local organizations.   At that time, she went on-line, looked up our local chapter and joined immediately. After she joined, she learned that some of her friends/colleagues were also members, After joining, Abby jumped right in and got involved.  For the first two years (even impacted by COVID shut-downs) she became a member…

Volunteerism, community engagement and philanthropy are baked into Kimberly’s DNA. From her earliest days, Kimberly recalls that her mother and grandparents instilled in her a “service to others” mindset. She worked alongside family members to give back to their community which inspired Kimberly to follow suit. Throughout her adolescent and young adult years, she often helped out at local fundraisers and other philanthropic initiatives in her native North Carolina community. It was through these early experiences that led Kimberly on a long journey of supporting charitable causes and decades of hands-on community engagement and volunteerism. Interested to build community with other South Jersey women and explore a collaborative approach to philanthropy, Kimberly was intrigued to learn about Impact100 South Jersey’s mission and collective giving model from a SJ Magazine article…

Upon reconnecting with a South Jersey friend after a 20-year gap, Terri Shirley-Summerhayes learned that her old friend was a member of Impact100 South Jersey. Terri had belonged to a supportive group of young mothers, the South Jersey Mother’s Network, in Marlton when her children were very young. She was also an active and engaged member of the Marlton community serving on the school board, volunteering in community organizations and local civic activities, while raising her children. Fast forward a couple of decades, Terri serendipitously met up with former SJ Mother’s Network member, Valerie Buickerood, and learned about Impact100 South Jersey - another group of like-minded women. Now in both a personal and professional position to give back financially, Terri was inspired to join. When asked why she joined in…

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” ~ Maya Angelou Pharmacist by trade, philanthropist by choice, Kruti Lodhavia was excited to learn that there was a whole group of women who had this common bond of giving back. After seeing a social media post about Impact100 SJ, Kruti searched the website for information and recognized Sue Polikoff among the member list. When she reached out, Sue shared her own positive experience as a member and Kruti’s decision was sealed. She couldn’t wait to join! A pharmacist and manager with Walgreens for more than 20 years, Kruti returned to South Jersey after living in Louisiana with her husband, and starting their family there. She was  raised in Atlantic City and is happy to…